3. Foolish Creep (3)
It's been a week since Lucian woke up from his dream and accepted the reality. The shocking moment wasn't just for Lucian alone, his parents were also shocked seeing his reaction that day. He was immediately brought to a hospital, but nonetheless, it wasn't sickness after all.
Lucian, who seemed so adventurous and never stopped moving, suddenly became more calm. Quite shocked by the change, it's not like they could ask the reason; even if they asked, there's no way they expected an answer from a toddler.
If you think about it, Lucian still reincarnated, with the advantages of more wisdom and experience he could fix or evade anything that made his regrets in his childhood before. But as a fan of anime, it's still a bummer being unable to learn magic.
In the meantime, Lucian had also got a grasp on his own appearance. He got his baby fat puffing on every part of his body, still, he found out he has black hair like his mother, and weirdly purplish eyes. Without light, it looked like black, but when there's a light source nearby it shone deep violet like an amethyst. Clive got blue eyes, and Misha got black eyes, whether somebody in their bloodline got the same eyes, or just a special mutation.
Lucian still sleeps all day long. It was needed for his growth; despite having more mental age, it doesn't mean he could beat his physical age. His young physical age wasn't actually enough to fuel his mental calculation and thinking. That's why he even spent more time resting than a normal toddler.
When Lucian awoke, he didn't do much either. After all, he already knew most of the things. It's not like he could just open some high-level books at this age. As for toys for this age, they were just something that could move or make sound, even if he had some interest because of the new things. Five minutes was enough to get bored of it.
So he spent his time watching TV, a way for him to gather information without anyone being suspicious.
Of course, if Misha or Clive called for him, Lucian would follow them, but anytime they left him alone, he'd be back to his spot watching the news. Thanks to that, he found that he was living somewhere on the European continent.
Lucian couldn't help but think of his family—not Misha and Clive, but the one who had been good to him for so many years, only to be left to die by him who died first despite being the youngest.
'How would my brother feel? Sister react?'
Even if Lucian were able to meet them, it would still need years later before he could meet them with his new body, and they also wouldn't remember him at all.
Lucian knew his brother's strong personality and how amazing he is. He will get over his death, but his sister, with whom he had a closer relationship, was also amazing but more fragile than his brother.
'I hope she is able to get over my death well.'
Lucian was unable to give his parents, daughter-in-law, let alone grandchildren anything. They were always lenient with him. But with his minimum salary, he couldn't even send money to them, yet he left them first without giving anything back.
He couldn't help but feel guilty toward them.
….
And so, another two days had passed.
The atmosphere in the house felt slightly heavier and gloomier. Misha and Clive tried to check Lucian in the hospital again, but the result was no different. He's so healthy that he couldn't be healthier than this.
Ding Dong
Not long after the bell rang, Misha entered the room alongside a beautiful Caucasian woman. She had a slim body, blonder hair, and big breasts, slightly taller than Misha. Lucian had already gotten used to seeing his own mother, but even so, he couldn't help but feel like he was dreaming. It was a beauty that shouldn't be possible in a human who's imperfect.
In the visitor's hand was a baby who seemed around Lucian's age.
"Hello, Lucian, I'm Layla. Nice to meet you." The new visitor sat beside him, leaving Misha, who went into the kitchen. She cheerfully greeted Lucian, then brought her daughter in front of her. "This is my daughter, Kate."
Layla and Kate lived next door; in other words, they were Lucian's neighbors.
Having someone like both Misha and Layla live side by side, it's like they were trying to make a traumatizing drama.
Lucian, who was urged by Layla to shake hands with Kate, stared blankly at her. When Layla caught his gaze, she froze for a moment before making her usual smile even brighter than ever. Then she just left Kate with him and made her way toward the kitchen to help Misha.
Being left alone with a toddler, there wasn't much Lucian could do. It's not like he had any experience in taking care of a toddler, so he just stared at her… thinking that she would play by herself.
On the other hand, strangely, Kate only stared back at Lucian, just like he did.
"....."
"....."
'...how to converse with a baby?' Lucian made a mental note to find and read a book or anything that could help him in this situation.
"...."
"...."
'Oh.' He remembered he had some toddler's toys bought by his parents. Lucian went toward the toy box prepared by Misha and Clive, the one that he never touched unless his parents made a move first.
Lucian got down from his usual spot on top of the sofa and started to walk toward the toy box. Kate tried to follow him. Thankfully, there was a soft carpet laid down on the floor of the house, so he didn't have to worry if Kate fell down or not.
Even so, unlike Lucian, Kate is a normal toddler. She is still unable to walk as steadily as Lucian.
Lucian, who realized her struggle, decided to help her walk toward the toy box. Even without injury, if she fell and cried, it would ruin the reason he wanted to take some toys from the very beginning.
It's not far. With their toddler's feet, Lucian and Kate walked quickly to reach the toy box. With Lucian in the lead, they rummaged through the box, with Lucian almost trying everything he got in his hands to entertain Kate. Kate's eyes slowly but surely filled with curiosity. Then…
Clangg
A piercing sound reverberated in the air.
It was the sound of a plate just falling onto the floor from quite a height.
It was Misha, who had brought a plate full of snacks from the kitchen. It looked like she lost her strength and the plate slipped from her hands.
Her beautiful black eyes started quivering, with mirrors of teardrops slowly filling her eyes. Her gaze was fixed on Lucian with intensity.
Before Lucian was able to process what had happened, he found himself inside the embrace of his mother, Misha.
It's warm…
Despite the falling tears, Misha didn't show any sign of releasing him; instead, it tightened so much that it became quite hard to breathe.
Lucian was dead in an accident. He thought, now it's already done, he could only take a new leaf and forget his past. But that wasn't the case. What he thought was already his past was his present. The reality reminded him just how despicable and hypocritical he was. He was guilty, a terribly foolish guilty man.
The guilt, the sin had overwhelmed him. Even when he was reminded of his family, there was only pain and self-mockery.
They too are my family…
"Ah, excuse me for a moment." Misha snapped out of what she had just done and excused herself for a moment to calm down.
Maybe it's because of the scene of Misha clinging to him or the warmth. Misha and Clive were his family too.
No matter for whatever reason he was reincarnated into this body, whether he got it legally or illegally, the fact that this Lucian is their flesh and blood will not change.
How truly foolish.
I will be a healthy and good child for them… maybe, just maybe, when I have more leeway in the future, maybe I could repay what my old family had given me…
Dear Dad, Mom, Brother, and Sister,
This is going to be my last time worrying about you guys. I'll always pray for all of your safety and success.
I'm an unfilial child and a bad sibling.
I want to change so I'll fulfill my role in this second chance. Someday, I'll definitely visit you all, even if it's just as a stranger. Thank you…
Thank you for all you have done for me…